Copyright
The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17,
U. S. Code). Reproductions can be made only if they are to be used for "private study,
scholarship, or research." It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to
obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any
portion of these materials, other than that noted above.

Biographical Sketch
Marjorie Weinman was born on November 12, 1928 in Portland, Maine. She
graduated from Westbrook Junior College in 1948, and married Mitchell Sharmat in
1957. She worked in the Yale University Library and began raising two
sons before publishing her first
children s book in 1967. In addition to publishing over one hundred books, Ms.
Sharmat has contributed to magazines, newspapers and textbooks.

Encouraged by her parents, Ms. Sharmat's interest in writing developed at an early
age. When she began writing for children, she found inspiration in her own
experiences and those of her family members, especially her two sons, Andrew and
Craig. Eventually, Ms. Sharmat collaborated with her husband and each of her sons.
Andrew was lead author for the Kids on the Bus series and Craig
co-wrote
Nate the Great and the Musical Note. Mitchell Sharmat frequently provided
his wife's books with a crucial phrase or idea before starting his own
literary career.
In addition to writing several children's books by himself, he has also
collaborated
occasionally with his wife. They co-wrote the Olivia Sharp, Agent for Secrets series.
Mitchell Sharmat is also an investor. Marjorie Sharmat has won numerous awards for
her writing. Several of her books have been adapted into films, films for television,
and stage productions.

Scope and Content
The collection contains ninety-five titles. The materials for each book are arranged
alphabetically by title, except for works which are part of a series. Series books have
been grouped together under the series title (e.g. Kids on the Bus, Maggie
Marmelstein, Nate the Great, Rich Mitch, and Sorority Sisters ). Within each title
the materials are arranged in the probable order in which they were created. For most
books, the collection contains several typescripts, and one or more galleys. Some
titles include notes, correspondence, research materials, proofs and/or other pre-
publication materials.

The majority of the books in this collection are children s picture books and books for
beginning readers. Most of these books focus on a humorous situation or a situation
in which a child matures somehow. For instance, in Gila Monsters Meet You at
the Airport, a boy learns that his fears about life in a new town are wildly
exaggerated. In Taking Care of Melvin, Melvin finds an appropriate balance
between his own needs and those of his friends. In I Don t Care, a young
boy learns that it s all right to cry when he s hurt. Nate the Great and its
sequels concern a juvenile detective who solves humorous mysteries.

Ms. Sharmat also wrote longer books for middle readers, such as The Lancelot
Closes at Five, Rich Mitch, The Kids on the Bus series, and the Maggie
Marmelstein series. Rich Mitch and Get Rich Mitch!, recount the
adventures of Mitch, who becomes famous after winning the lottery. In Getting
Something on Maggie Marmelstein, Maggie knows something about Thad Smith,
and Thad needs to even the score.

Finally, Ms. Sharmat wrote numerous young adult novels, such as I Saw Him
First, Two Guys Noticed Me...and Other Miracles, and Vacation Fever!.
Also, she wrote the eight books in the Sorority Sisters series. Are We There
Yet? and Vacation Fever! are companion volumes about the romantic
adventures of Mia Fisher and her brother Ted during a family vacation. Several of the
books in the Sorority Sisters series also deal with teen romance.

The series contains material for several books written by Mitchell Sharmat. These
include Gorilla s House, Reddy Rattler and Easy Eagle, Sherman Is a Slowpoke,
and The Seven Sloppy Days of Phineas Pig.

Related Collections The Ray Cruz Papers (DG 0240) contains illustrations from What Are We
Going to Do About Andrew?